kokonaistehtävään

kokonaistehtävään is a Finnish term derived from kokonais-, meaning "total" or "overall", and tehtävä, meaning "task". The word refers to a single, comprehensive assignment or project that encompasses multiple aspects or sub-tasks. It is commonly used in educational contexts to describe a final project in which students must demonstrate mastery of several skills or subjects simultaneously, such as a science fair entry that requires research, experimentation, data analysis, and presentation. In business and project management, kokonaistehtävään may be employed to designate a milestone that includes deliverables from different departments, emphasizing the coordination needed for successful completion. The genitive form “kokonaistehtävään” is used when referring to the task itself or when discussing work directed toward the overall assignment.

The concept is closely related to integrated learning and interdisciplinary teaching methods that aim to break down subject silos and encourage holistic problem solving. By assigning a kokonaistehtävään, educators can assess students’ abilities to synthesize knowledge, apply theory to practice, and collaborate. Research in Finnish pedagogical studies shows that such tasks foster deeper engagement and critical thinking, as students must plan, execute, and reflect on their work from multiple perspectives.

In Finland, national curriculum guidelines recommend the inclusion of kokonaistehtävään for certain grade levels, especially in upper secondary education where students prepare for university entrance examinations. These tasks are often graded on criteria that include planning quality, depth of analysis, originality, and communication efficacy. The welfare of learners is also considered; educators are advised to provide scaffolding and clear rubrics. Overall, kokonaistehtävään plays a pivotal role in contemporary Finnish education and professional contexts, promoting integrated skill development and real‑world problem solving.